- VanVleet isn’t sure that the season is going to continue
- The guard is about to become a free agent this summer.
- This has been his best season in terms of numbers and impact on the floor.
Toronto Raptors‘ guard, Fred VanVleet, expressed his skepticism about the resume of the NBA activities this season. In one of his interviews yesterday, VanVleet revealed his thoughts on the current situation, and he isn’t very optimistic.
“I think everybody is just preparing for the worst-case scenario, the season being canceled,” he said.
According to the Raptors’ player, right now, the virus is overwhelming the entire world, and there aren’t conditions for playing games. He also stated that if the NBA wants to continue its activities, they would have to follow the guidelines provided by the health care system. However, that is not easy from his point of view, and organizing all the events would be pretty tough.
“If our league is going to be a leader in terms of public health and public safety and player safety, you’ve got to follow the guidelines of what the virus is speaking to you, so the odds are probably against us in terms of that,” VanVleet concluded.
Unlike many other of his colleagues, he tells that the chances for the season to finish are 50-50.
The 26-year old was playing the season of his career until the COVID-19 pandemic started, and was excellent on the floor. VanVleet’s role radically changed, comparing it to the last season, and he is now one of the team’s leaders. In 48 games played, he averaged 17.6 points and 6.6 assists, with almost two steals per game, all that in 35.8 minutes.
After the campaign ends, he will become a free agent as his two-year deal worth $18 million expires this summer. Numerous teams would like to land the feisty guard, and there are already analysts who predict that VanVleet might receive some lucrative offers from around the league. Some are even suggesting sum close to $80 million for a five-year contract. Toronto is keen on keeping its No.23, and they are well aware that it is going to be one very tough task.
Lots of free agents are worried that the pandemic might have ruined their prospects of getting a juicy contract, but not VanVleet. He stated that right now, after all, what happened, he isn’t thinking in that direction.
“I think people’s health and wellbeing, and frame of mind, is a lot more important than a couple of million here or there, because we’re filthy rich compared to what we came from in the first place,”
At the moment, there is no news from the heads of the NBA about the season’s future. Numerous speculations are all over the media and social networks, but Commissioner Adam Silver didn’t confirm any of them.
VanVleet and his Raptors are second in the Eastern Conference with 46 wins and 18 losses. They are behind the Milwaukee Bucks, who are 53-12, and three games ahead of the Boston Celtics.
